Apparatus for producing changeable illuminated signs from a. remote point of control



June 3', 1924. 1,496,661

A. B. FAULKNER APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING CHANGEABLE ILLUMINATED SIGN FROM A REMOTE POINT OF CONTROL Filed Feb. 19 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 \flLTlllDEl \1 i P- f DEF Qlrthur 3- T me" June 3 1924. 1,496,667

1 A. B. FAULKNER APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING CHANGEABLE LIQLUMINATEDFISIGNS FROM A REMOTE POINT OF CONTROL Filed Feb. 19231 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 .Flzgu g 42 4 v 4/ 4s 6 .Flzqflj lnvcn'kor L/qr uw ]3.Faulkfber 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 InvenwEOr A'k'hornqy June 3 1924. v

A..B. FAULKNER APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING CHANGEABLE ILLUMINATED SIGNS FROM A REMDTE POINT OF CONTROL FiIed Eeb. 19

June 3 1-924. 1,496,667

A. B. FAULKNER APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING CHANGEABLE ILLUMINATED smus mom A REMOTE POINT OF CONTROL Filed Feb'. 19. 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 IJWIIIIIIIIII. "a"

g Q m8 IIIIIII/I/lDIIIIIII/lIIIII!III/lIIIMIIIIIIII/IIII/II/MI/II/m Inventor Patented June 3, 1924.

UNITED STATES 1,496,667 PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR B. FAUIQKNER, OF WILLIAMSPORT, PENNSYLVANIA.

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING CHANGEABLE ILLUMINATED SIGNS FROM A REMOTE POINT OF CONTROL.

Application filed February 19, 1923. Serial No. 619,919.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR B. F AULK- NER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Villiamsport, in the county of'Lycoming and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Producing Changeable Illuminated Signs from a Remote Point of Control; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to-make and use the same.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for changeable sign illumination, and consists in the arrangements of steps of procedure, and combinations and arrangements of elements hereinafter described and particularly set forth in the accompanying claims.

Generally stated the invention proposes a sign board, for street, window or interior display, having thereon a field of lamps or incandescent bulbs uniformly arranged and with respectively independent circuits having contact terminals normally open and a distant controlling or selector unit equipped with different matrix characters which when successively impressed on the contacts operate to selectively close circuits in the field, thereby producing on the sign board an enlarged and illuminative copy of the matrix characters so applied. I

The invention has for its further purpose to provide a sign apparatus of this character wherein the controlling or selector unit therefor comprises a carrier having symbols or letter characters arranged thereon in the form and order to be displayed on the sign board, and which selector or controlling unit is intermittently operated to the end that phrases or sentences may be shown in proper sequence on the sign board and for any desired duration. The matrix characters are so mounted and arranged that they may be readily substituted by other characters for giving such flexibility to the apparatus that the sign board may be utilized for street or display advertising within a wide range of limits and without requiring any alteration or re-arrangement whatsoever of the sign board per se.

Another object of the invention resides in having the matrix characters, the carrier therefor, and theentire modus operandi of the system assembled into a unitary structure and contained within a single portable receptacle. And it is further contemplated that said controlling unit may be adapted to co-operatewith and control a plurality of similar sign boards located at different distant points though all showing the illuminated characters in the same manner and sequence of appearance.

The invention as shown herein is proposed as an improvement or advance in the art over the type of apparatus disclosed in my U. SLPatent No. 1,444,339 dated February 6, 1923.

An apparatus suitable for carrying out the purpose of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings wherein:-

Figure 1 illustrates the installation or erection of the apparatus;

Figure 2 a top plan view, partly in section, of the controlling or selector unit of the apparatus;

Figure 3 a similar viewof the controlling or selector unit taken. at right angles to Figure 2;

Figure 4 a transverse sectional view taken on the line 4-4- of Figure 2;

Figure 5 a similar view showing the parts thereof in another relation;

Figure 6 a transverse sectional view taken on the line 6-6'of Figure 2;

Figure 7 a transverse sectional view on the line 7-7 of Figure 2;

Figure 8 a longitudinal sectional view showing one end of the matrix carrier;

Figure 9 a fragmentary perspective View of the matrix carrier;

Figure 10 a transverse sectional view of the actuated end of the matrix carrier;

Figure 11 a fragmentary perspective view of the matrix carrier;

Figure 12 a transverse sectional View showing the manner of securing the matrix plates to the carrier;

Figure 13 a sectional view show ng the detent device for intermittently holdlngthe matrix carrier;

Figure 14 a detailed perspective view of the movable contact maker;

Figure 15 a perspective view showing the support and actuator device for the contact maker; and

Figure 16 illustrates the casingwhich contains the entire controlling and actuating mechanism for the system.

taken Referringto theconstruction in further detail and wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts inthe different figures shown, the apparatus comprises a suitable sign board or frame 17 erected preferably ona building or other structure as shown in Fig. 1, and having uniformly distributed thereon a field of electric bulbs 18 arranged in such relation that they may be selectively grouped for llumn ation to-show in precise accordance with the selections made by a controlling or seector unit, such unit being contained in a uitabl'e casing 19 adapted to be located in any desired placewithin the buildingsuppogting thesign 17, or at any othenplace howeverirem ote Stress may be now laid on the salient or controlling feature of this in ventiong to wit, means for producing hangeable and illuminated signs through selective impressions made on a field of open c rcuits a a selector and controlling unit, and adapted for varying the subject-matter to be displayed within substantially unrestricted limits, and with the sign or display per so being located out of doors andat a positipn remote from such controlling station. I

The selector or controlling unit of the apparatus is 'wholly contained within a suitable casing 19 and embodies essentially a motor, an intermittently rotatable matrix 'elcarrier, a transmission gearing between the motor and the matrix carrier for imparting intermittent movement thereto, a device intermittently co-operable with the different matrices for closing circuits through the field of bulbs on. the sign in accordance with thecharacters of the matrix, co-operable devices for intermittently moving the matrix carrier and bringing the contact maker or circuit closing device into en agement with the positioned matrices. and means for holding the matrix carrier stationary for the period of illumination of the characters to be displayed on the sign. V V

The motor 20, connected with a suitable source of energy, has a grooved pulley 21 on its armature shaft carrying a belt or strap 22 traveling on the largerpulley 23 mounted on the shaft 24, and a pinion 25 on said shaft meshes with a relatively larger pinion 26 on the shaft 27 :suitably jourlualed in bearings 28 on, the frame work 29 as shown. A pinion 30 (see Fig. 6) on the shaft 27 gears with a pinion 31 on shaft 32.sa id shaft carryinga pinion 33 in gear with pinion 34 onshaft 35. A pinion 36 on shaft is connected to drive the pinion 37 through the two idler gears 38 and 39 (see Fig. 2).

The matrix carrier is adapted to be intermittently rotated, and at uniform intervals through the chain of gearing just described which, acting through the shaft 35 (Figs. 4 and 5) actuates a crank shaft, in the form of a disk and pin (40a'nd 41), carrying a pitman 42 fitted with a single pin43 adapted to engage with the several projecting members 44 mounted on the outer side of the end piece or head'45 of the matrixcarrier. Each of said devices 44 is formed of metal and is of substantially U- shape to provide a groove which receives the pin 43, and an angular portion 46 on each device 44 serves to guide the pin within the groove and ermit its easy withdrawal therefrom.

The pitman 42 is timed to actuate the matrix carrier through the instrument of a controlling cam 47 mounted on the shaft 48 which shaft is rotated by the pinion 37 mounted thereon. The salient of said cam 47 is timed to engage with the end portion 49 of the pitman 42 and intermittently lift the latter to the position shown in Fig. 5 and for which intervals the matrix carrier is held immovable: to wit, while the selected matrices are functioning to close circuits through the contacts effect illumination on the sign board 17. A leaf spring 50 normally tensions the pitman 42 in contact with the surface of the cam 47 as shown (see Figs. 4 and 5).

The matrix carrier is adapted to be intermittently held stationary by means of a detent or stop device comprising a lever or arm 51 pivotally mounted, as at52, (Fig. 2) and having its end portion 53 (Fig. 13) constructed to easily engage within. the notches or recesses 54 formed on the pe riphery of the collector ring 55 that is mounted within an annular groove 56 formed in the outer face of the head or end piece 45 of the rotatable carrier (Fig. 10). The detent arm 51 is normally tensioned to engage within the recess 54, as shown in Fig. 13, by a leaf spring 57 that is mounted on the casing 19 as at 58. A cam 59 mounted on the shaft 48 (Figs. 2 and 6) co-operates with the detent arm 51 to move said arm out of engagement and hold the same clear of the collector ring 55 for that interval when the rotatable carrier is moving. It will be understood of course that the respective elements for intermittently moving the matrix carrier (parts 40, 42,43 and 44) the cam 47 for lifting the pitman; and the detent stop device (51 and 59) are constructed and timed to co-operate in proper sequence for erhibiting the illuminated characters on the sign board 17 in accordance with the control of the selector or central station 19.

The selector unit or matrix carrier perse consists of the two heads or end pieces 45 and 60 mounted on ashaft 61 that is jour j'naled in suitable bearings 62 and 63 in the casing 19 (Figs. 7, 8 and 10).. Said head pieces 45 and 60 having a polygonal contour,

preferably octagonal, and are connected after the manner of a drum or cylinder frame by the several cross-bars 64 (see Figs. 9 and 12), and immediately underlying each of said bars is a strip 65 preferably of metal. The respective side edges 66 and 67 of each cross-bar 6 1 are cut substantially square and beveled to receive the complementary side edges of the panels or base pieces 68 which have mounted thereon letter or other cha acters 69 constituting the matrix or selector of the characters to be illuminated on the field of the sign board 17. Each panel piece 68 is apertured to receive a pair of retaining bolts 70 having wedge-shape head pieces 71 and tightening nuts 72 screwed thereon (see Figs. 8. 9 and 12). It will be seen therefore that each panel piece 68 is secured at its bottom portion by reason of its lower beveled edge 67 and at its upper portion by the securing devices 70.

Each of the letters or other matrix characters 69 is constructed of metal of high electrical conductivity and the several characters on each matrix line are electrically connected to a conductor strip 78 by suitable conductor pieces 74. The several strips 7 3 connect with the conductor wire 7 3 on the collector ring 55 (Fig. 11). Contact pieces 74 are connected with the wire 73 and are in turn adapted to be engaged by detent arm 51 to establish a circuit through the switch box 75 by conductor wire 76 (Fig. 2).

The matrices or selector elements as successively brought into operative position are adapted to co-act with a frame carrying a multiplicity of contacts or circuit closing devices which are moved into and out of contactingrelation with said matrix characters "for that interval of the rotatable frame when it is being held stationary by the detent device. Said contact carrier (see Figs. 14 and 15) consists of a rectangular frame 75 slidably supported at either end by a pair of angular shaped arms 76 mounted in guide blocks 7 7 that are secured to the cas ing 19 (Fig. 7). The contact carrier 75 and its appurtenant parts are contained wholly within a casing section 78 that is secured to the casing 19 after the manner shown in Figs. 7 and 16.

The frame 75 is adapted to be moved into engagement with the line or matrices, tem porarily stationary. through the instrument of two pairs of leaf springs 79 mounted on either side of the casing 78 on the bracket pieces 80. and contacting with the upright bar portions 81 formed integral with the angular supporting bars 76 for the frame 75 (Figs. 7, 14 and 15). Retraction of the contact carrier frame 75 is effected by the cam elements 82, located two on each side of the casing, and bearing against the side bars 81. The four came 82 are mounted on two similar shafts 83 (see Figs. 3 and 7) suitably journaled within cross pieces 84 in the casing, and are connected to be operated in unison by a chain 85 riding on sprockets 86 on the two shafts 83. One of the shafts 83 is connected to be driven from the gearing transmission by the pinion 87 (Figs. 2 and 3) that in turn meshes with pinion 36. It will be understood of course that the four cam elements 82 are constructed and timed to operate commensurate with the other mechanism of the apparatus, i. e., in such manner that the frame 75 carrying the contacts or circuit closers will be moved out of position instantly the matrix carrier is to change its position, and moved into position by the tension of the springs 79 when said matrix carrier stops.

The circuit closing device per se consists of a panel 88 of suitable insulating material having mounted therein the several contact pieces in the form of plugs or pins 89 corresponding precisely in number and arrangement with the lamps in the field of the sign board, and each of said contacts connects by a conductor wire 90 with its corresponding lamp. 'All of the wires 90 of the several contact members 89 form a cable 91 leading to the sign 17 whence the individual wires respectively connect with the lamps of the field to the end that when a given character or series of characters on the matrix frame engage with its respective outline contacts 89 on the panel 88. the corresponding lamps on the sign board 17 will be illuminated.

The casing 19. is provided with a transparent opening 92 giving inspection to the motor and transmission gearing, and switches 98 and 94 are provided for controlling the motor and illuminating circuits.

It is obvious that those skilled in the art may vary the details of construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of my invention. and. therefore, I am not limited to such features except as may be required by the claims.

lVhat is claimed as new is:

1. In an apparatus of the character described, a remote control and selector therefor comprising a revoluble carrier. a plurality of interchangeable matrix characters mounted on said carrier, a reciprocable frame having contacts, parallel bars carried by said frame. spring elements engaging said bars and normally tending to move the frame contacts into engagement with said matrix characters, and devices for intermittently operating the revoluble carrier and said contact carrying frame.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, a remote control and selector therefor comprising a self-contained and portable controlling unit therefor comprising a casing, a drum revolubly mounted in said casing, a plurality of interchangeable matrix P devices for actuating the reciprocable frame co-operable with said pawl and ratchet mechanism.

3. A self-contained and portable controlling mechanism for an electric signalling system comprising a casing, a drum our naled in said casing, a reciprocable frame having contacts connecting with wires of the system, a movable matrix co-operable with said contacts, a plurality of U-shaped members radially mounted on the drum providing a ratchet, a pawl co-operable with said ratchet to intermittently actuate the drum, a detent co-operable with. the pawl and ratchet to hold the drum intermittently immovable, and devices co-operable with the detent to actuate said r'eciprocable frame.

4. A self-contained and portable controlling mechanism for an electric signalling system comprising a casing, a shaft journaled in the casing, a pair of head pieces mounted on said shaft, a plurality of crossbars connecting said head pieces, panel members 'rem'ovably mounted on said cross-bars, and matrix characters mounted on said panel members.

5. A self-contained and portable controiling mechanism for an electric signalling system comprising a casing, a shaft journaled in the casing, a pair of head pieces fmounted onsai'dshaft, a plurality of crossbars connecting said head pieces, said crossbars having beveled edges; metallic strips underlying said cross-bars, panel's having beveled edges reniovably mounted on said strips and cross-bars, and matrix characters mounted on said panels.

6. A self-contained and portable controlling mechanism for an electric signalling system comprising a casing, a drum journaled in said casing, a plurality of matrix characters removably mounted on said drum, a collector ring mounted on the drum, and electric conductor elements connecting the respective matrix characters with said collector ring.

7. A selfcontainedrand portable controlling mechanism for an electric signalling system comprising a casing, a drum journaled in said casing, a plurality of matrix characters removably mounted on said drum, a collector ring mounted on the drum provided with uniformly spaced notches, electric conductor elements connecting the respective matrix characters with said collector ring, a frame having contacts cooperable with said matrix characters, mecha-.

nism for intermittently operating the drum and moving said contact carrier frame into engagement with the respective matrix characters, and a detent arm adapted to engage within the notches of the collector ring to hold the drum stationary for the interval of engagement between said contacts and the matrix characters.

8. A self-contained and portable controlling mechanism for an electric signalling system comprising a casing, a shaft journaled in the casing, 'a pair of head pieces mounted on said shaft, a plurality of crossbars "connecting said head pieces, strips underlying said crosspieces, panels having matrix characters mounted on said crosspieces and strips, and headed bolts carried by said panels removably securing the panels to said cross-bars and the strips.

9. A self-contained and portable controlling mechanism for an electric signalling system comprising a casing, a shaft journaled in the casing, a pair of head pieces mounted on said shaft, a plurality of crossbars connecting said head pieces, said crossbars having beveled -edges; metallic strips" underlying said cross-bars, panels having beveled edges removably mounted on said strips and cross-bars, bolts carried by said panels having heads adapted to engage against said metallic strips and removably secure said panels, and matrix characters mounted on said panels.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ARTHUR B. FAULKNER. 

